SPRING 2001
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course offers a historical study of the English language including consideration
of Old, Middle, Modern, and American English. The course will address the nature
and mechanisms of language change over time as well as social, political, and
other historical conditions related to such changes. Attention will given to
phonology, morphology, graphics, syntax, lexicon, and semantics as well as to
the literature and culture of the different historical periods.
TEXTS
Required
Recommended (on RESERVE at the Reinert Alumni Library):
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students will design and pursue a creative, analytical, or research project (paper, videotaped documentary, web site, art work, etc.) related to any aspect of the use or other features of the English language in any of its historical periods (including the present and future). All projects must also be presented to the class. Projects may be papers (analytical and/or research) tracing, describing, analyzing, and explaining specific features of the language and their historical foundations (MLA format required of all papers). Projects may also take the form of practical studies of or gathering and analyzing of data on current usages of the language in specific contexts (for example, regional dialects, slang, origins of words, peculiarities of pronunciation, etc.). Projects addressing issues in current phonology (the sound of the language) may want to make use of audio/video recordings and may also be accompanied by a written paper. In general, students are encouraged to choose material which is interesting and stimulating and should not feel limited to traditional academic topics. Art works are acceptable provided they yield substantial insight into some aspect of the language and its historical use. Projects may be undertaken individually or by groups (group projects need to be substantial and extensive enough to justify the participation of two or more people). All projects must be approved by the instructor in advance (see Schedule below).
GRADING AND OTHER POLICIES
Deadlines: Make-ups/extensions for a missed deadline will
only be given in cases of documented serious illness or other
valid, non-frivolous excuse such as documented participation in
official University sports or academic/service events (it will be
up to the instructors to determine and decide on the
acceptability of an excuse). Otherwise, students must meet all
deadlines specified in the syllabus.
Student Conduct and Academic Honesty: All students in the class are expected to observe the University's guidelines on student conduct as described in Creighton University's Student Handbook (see "Code of Conduct," and especially the section on "Academic Misconduct" dealing with problems of plagiarism, cheating, etc.). Plagiarism-- the unacknowledged use of outside help and sources (books, articles, other student papers or ideas, etc.)--will result in failing the assignment and/or the entire course.
Grading: Grading: All aspects of the course will be
graded on a 0-100 point scale where 90-100 = A, 87-89 = B+, 80-86
= B, 77-79 = C+, 70-76 = C, 60-69 = D, and 0-59 = F. The course
grade will be calculated according to the following formula:
|
Term Project |
25% |
|
Presentation |
15% |
| Exams |
50%
|
|
Other Performance |
10%
|
|
Total |
100% |
COURSE SCHEDULE
Thu Jan 11
Thu Jan 18
Thu Jan 25
Thu Feb 01
Thu Feb 08
Thu Feb 15
Thu Feb 22
Thu Mar 01
Thu Mar 08
Thu Mar 15
Thu Mar 22
Thu Mar 29
Thu Apr 05
EXAM
Thu Apr 12
Thu Apr 19
Thu Apr 26
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